Verle E. Sewell, 28, assistant manager of a service station, attempted to save Earl Parker, 63, refrigeration agency supervisor, from suffocation, Ludington, Michigan, January 15, 1959. Parker, alone in a room adjoining the main section of a one-story factory, was checking a compressor which exploded violently, emitting clouds of ammonia gas which spread through the building. The employees ran from the factory; and other persons, including Sewell, were attracted. Firemen were summoned. A man wearing an oxygen mask entered the building with a rope tied about him and held by others; but the oxygen became exhausted before he could locate Parker. Sewell and others broke the windows and saw Parker on the floor of the main section at a door leading to the packing room. Sewell entered the packing room through another door but was driven back by the fumes, which burned his eyes and throat. Taking a deep breath and holding it, he re-entered the building and walked 30 feet through the packing room to Parker. As he took hold of Parker, Sewell was forced to expel his breath and inhaled ammonia fumes. Choking violently, he dragged Parker 25 feet with difficulty to within two feet of a door leading outside. Nearly overcome by the fumes, Sewell released Parker and staggered from the building. Three other men quickly removed Parker, who died two days later. Sewell was treated for inhalation of fumes and recovered
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